During a career that spanned six decades, photographer Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002) created iconic portraits of many of the 20th century’s most influential men and women—individuals who distinguished themselves in fields as diverse as business, medicine, entertainment, politics, and the arts.
A refugee from persecution in his native Armenia, Karsh immigrated to Canada in 1925. His uncle, a professional photographer, facilitated Karsh’s apprenticeship with the renowned Boston portrait photographer John H. Garo in 1928. By the time Karsh returned to Canada, he had “set [his] heart on photographing those men and women who leave their mark on the world.” In May 1933, he opened his portrait studio in Ottawa.
Karsh developed his distinctive portrait style by drawing inspiration from a variety of sources. Introduced to stage lighting techniques through his association with the Ottawa Drama League, he experimented with artificial lighting to achieve the dramatic effects that became the hallmark of his portraiture. Believing that “the heart and mind are the true lens of the camera,” Karsh also developed a genuine rapport with his sitters and partnered with them to fashion portraits that were both revealing and respectful.
The phenomenal success of his 1941 portrait of Winston Churchill served as the catalyst to Karsh’s career. Thereafter, he traveled the world fulfilling portrait commissions and editorial assignments. Karsh photographed countless international figures, but his images of Americans—from Albert Einstein to Martha Graham—are counted among his finest portraits.
In 2012, Estrellita Karsh presented 109 portraits by her husband, Yousuf Karsh, to the National Portrait Gallery. Highlights from this major gift are featured in a new exhibition at the museum.
From Colonel Sanders to Grace Kelly: Iconic American Portraits by Yousuf Karsh
The National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition on Yousuf Karsh will display a rotating selection of Karsh portraits until November 4, 2014
smithsonian.com
Comment on this Story
comments powered by Disqus